Original teaching practice. Read one pattern, cover its model and try the questions before checking the separate answer section. Examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA) retain the course-reference provenance.
morning朝 vs towards向 vs towards往 (towards)
Which way to face?
- Your photographer friend arranges a group photo by the sea.
- everyone大家morning朝I / me我to see看，towards往左站erhua variant of 一点一点儿。 — "Everyone look towards me, and move a bit to the left."
morning朝, towards向, towards往 = towards
- towards往 + direction + verb = movement towards: 往前走, towards往left左variant of 拐拐, towards往北开.
- morning朝 + direction / person = facing towards: 朝南(modifier / structural particle)的room房间 (a south-facing room), morning朝I / me我to laugh笑.
this这(measure word)个room房间faces朝south南。
towards向 is the widest
- towards向 can do both: 向前走, towards向he / him他to wave (one's hand)挥手 (wave to him).
- Only towards向 is used for abstract "to": towards向teacher老师to ask for guidance请教 (ask the teacher), towards向you你to learn学习 (learn from you).
we我们should应该from向him他learn学习。
People and abstract actions
- towards往 does not take people: towards向he / him他to apologize道歉, not towards往he / him他to apologize道歉.
- Abstract verbs (to learn学习, to ask for guidance请教, to apologize道歉, to express / indicate表示) take towards向, not morning朝 or towards往.
After the verb
- towards往 / towards向 can follow some verbs for a destination: 飞往Shanghai municipality…上海 — "flying to Shanghai", direction走向success成功 — "head towards success".
- morning朝 does not follow the verb this way.
this这(measure word)架plane飞机flies to飞往Shanghai上海。
Recap
- towards往 = movement towards a direction; morning朝 = facing towards; towards向 = both, plus abstract "to" with people.
- Abstract verbs (to learn学习, to apologize道歉) take towards向; 飞往 / direction走向 put the word after the verb.
Practise this pattern step by step.
to / towards / correct对 vs regarding对于 (to/toward vs regarding)
Kind to him, regarding the plan
- In a meeting, you describe a new colleague and give your view on a proposal.
- he / him他to / towards / correct对everyone大家degree / adjective linker很polite客气。regarding对于this这个plan方案，I / me我to have / there is有different不同(modifier / structural particle)的way of looking at a thing看法。 — "He's very polite to everyone. Regarding this proposal, I see it differently."
to / towards / correct对 = to, towards (people and attitudes)
- to / towards / correct对 + person for attitudes and treatment: to / towards / correct对I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好, to / towards / correct对he / him他degree / adjective linker很polite客气, to / towards / correct对child孩子degree / adjective linker很to be patient耐心.
- Also before many fixed phrases: to / towards / correct对…to be interested感兴趣, to / towards / correct对…to have / there is有benefit好处.
the teacher老师to对students学生very很patient耐心。
regarding对于 = regarding (issues and topics)
- regarding对于 + issue, usually at the start: regarding对于this这个question问题，everyone大家idea意见not不one / a一.
- regarding对于 is more formal and does not take people for treatment: he / him他to / towards / correct对I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好, not he / him他regarding对于I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好.
regarding对于this这个issue问题，everyone's大家opinions意见differ不一。
to / towards / correct对 can replace regarding对于, not the reverse
- Wherever regarding对于 works, to / towards / correct对 usually works too: to / towards / correct对((of time or place) in于)this这个question问题….
- But treatment of people needs to / towards / correct对: to / towards / correct对I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好, to / towards / correct对he / him他variant of 说说, not regarding对于I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好 / regarding对于he / him他variant of 说说.
to / towards / correct对…来说 and regarding对于…来说
- Both mean "for, as far as … is concerned": to / towards / correct对((of time or place) in于)student学生来说，(concept of) time时间degree / adjective linker很important重要.
- regarding对于 sounds more formal, suitable for essays.
for对于students学生(as far as)来说，time时间very很important重要。
Recap
- to / towards / correct对 = to / towards (people, treatment, attitudes); regarding对于 = regarding (issues, formal).
- Check the construction rather than whether a person is named: regarding对于 can introduce a viewpoint about a person, but does not replace to / towards / correct对 in every attitude or treatment phrase.
Practise this pattern step by step.
pertaining to关于 vs regarding对于 vs as for至于
Three ways to bring up a topic
- You are writing an email planning a school trip.
- pertaining to关于to set off出发(concept of) time时间，we / us我们next week下周to decide (to do something)决定。as for至于to live住where哪儿，everyone大家can / may可以先提to propose建议。 — "As for the departure time, we'll decide next week. As for where to stay, everyone can make suggestions first."
pertaining to关于 = about (topic, content)
- pertaining to关于 + topic introduces what something is about: pertaining to关于environment环境(modifier / structural particle)的article文章, pertaining to关于这件matter事.
- It goes before the subject, never after it.
about关于this matter这件事，I我not very不太clear清楚。
regarding对于 = regarding (attitude) and as for至于 = as for (a new topic)
- regarding对于 + issue introduces something you have an opinion on: regarding对于this这个to decide (to do something)决定，I / me我degree / adjective linker很satisfied满意.
- as for至于 + new topic switches to a related but separate point: I / me我to be responsible for负责to book tickets订票，as for至于wine shop酒店，you你to come来to choose选(suggestion)吧.
I我am in charge of负责booking tickets订票，as for至于the hotel酒店，you你(do it)来choose选吧。
as for至于 needs a first topic
- as for至于 comes after something else has been said; it cannot open a conversation.
- pertaining to关于 cannot follow the subject: pertaining to关于这件matter事，I / me我…, not I / me我pertaining to关于这件matter事….
Choosing
- Title or content: pertaining to关于. Attitude or judgement: regarding对于. Switching to another point: as for至于.
- as for至于outcome结果how about怎么样，we / us我们after以后to say again再说。 — "As for how it turns out, we'll see later."
as for至于the result结果how it turns out怎么样，later以后we'll see再说。
Recap
- pertaining to关于 = about (topic); regarding对于 = regarding (attitude); as for至于 = as for (switching to a new point).
- as for至于 needs an earlier topic; pertaining to关于 goes before the subject.
Practise this pattern step by step.
to / for / give给 vs for为 (to/for vs for the sake of)
A gift and a sacrifice
- Your mother works late every night to support the family.
- mama妈妈in order to为了we / us我们every day每天to work工作to / arrive到degree / adjective linker很evening晚，I / me我want / think / miss想to / for / give给she / her她to buy买一份gift礼物。 — "Mum works late every day for us; I want to buy her a present."
to / for / give给 = to / for (a recipient)
- to / for / give给 + person + verb = do something for / to someone who receives it: to / for / give给she / her她to buy买gift礼物, to / for / give给I / me我to make a telephone call打电话, to / for / give给you你to introduce (sb to sb)介绍.
- The person gets the thing or the service.
I我for给Mum妈妈buy买了a bunch of一束flowers花。
for为 = for the sake of, because of
- for为 + person / cause + verb = for the sake of, on behalf of: for为everyone大家to serve服务, for为you你happy高兴, for为child孩子anxious担心.
- for为 often goes with feelings and effort.
we我们all都for为you你are happy高兴。
Receiving versus caring
- to / for / give给 + person = they receive something: to / for / give给he / him他to write a letter写信. for为 + person = on their behalf or about them: for为he / him他anxious担心.
- Feelings take for为, not to / for / give给: I / me我for为you你happy高兴, not I / me我to / for / give给you你happy高兴.
Where both work
- "Do something for someone" can sometimes take either: to / for / give给 / for为everyone大家to prepare a meal做饭.
- to / for / give给 is more everyday; for为 sounds more formal or dedicated: for为the people人民to serve服务 — "serve the people".
for为the people人民serve服务。
Recap
- to / for / give给 = to / for a recipient (to / for / give给she / her她to buy买, to / for / give给I / me我to make a telephone call打电话); for为 = for the sake of / because of (for为you你happy高兴, for为child孩子anxious担心).
- Feelings take for为; service can take either (to / for / give给 everyday, for为 formal).
Practise this pattern step by step.
Practice without the models
morning朝 vs towards向 vs towards往 (towards)
2701.1 Complete: “We should learn from her.” we / us我们should应该…………she / her她to learn学习。
2701.2 Which is wrong?
- A. towards向he / him他to apologize道歉
- B. towards往he / him他to apologize道歉
- C. 往前走
- D. 朝南(modifier / structural particle)的window窗户
2701.3 Build: “This plane flies to Shanghai.”
Arrange all chunks: 飞往 / this这架飞机 / Shanghai municipality…上海。
2701.4 朝南(modifier / structural particle)的room房间 means a south-facing room.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
2701.5 Your photographer friend arranges a group photo by the sea. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
Write or say your own response before reading the key.
to / towards / correct对 vs regarding对于 (to/toward vs regarding)
2702.1 Complete: “She is very kind to me.” she / her她…………I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好。
2702.2 Which is wrong?
- A. to / towards / correct对this这个question问题，I / me我not have / haven't没有idea意见。
- B. he / him他to / towards / correct对I / me我degree / adjective linker很polite客气。
- C. regarding对于this这个question问题，I / me我not have / haven't没有idea意见。
- D. he / him他regarding对于I / me我degree / adjective linker很polite客气。
2702.3 Build: “Regarding this issue, opinions differ.”
Arrange all chunks: everyone大家idea意见 / ， / not不one / a一。 / regarding对于this这个question问题
2702.4 regarding对于…来说 is more formal than to / towards / correct对…来说.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
2702.5 In a meeting, you describe a new colleague and give your view on a proposal. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
Write or say your own response before reading the key.
pertaining to关于 vs regarding对于 vs as for至于
2703.1 Complete: “I'll book the tickets; as for the hotel, you choose.” I / me我to be responsible for负责to book tickets订票，…………wine shop酒店，you你to come来to choose选(suggestion)吧。
2703.2 A book title: “A Book about Chinese Food”. Which word fits? 《____China中国vegetable菜(modifier / structural particle)的book书》
- A. as for至于
- B. pertaining to关于
- C. regarding对于
- D. to / towards / correct对
2703.3 Match each word to its job.
-
- pertaining to关于
-
- regarding对于
-
- as for至于
-
A. regarding (attitude or judgement)
-
B. as for (switching to another point)
-
C. about (topic or content)
2703.4 as for至于 can open a conversation without any earlier topic.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
2703.5 You are writing an email planning a school trip. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
Write or say your own response before reading the key.
to / for / give给 vs for为 (to/for vs for the sake of)
2704.1 Complete: “We're all happy for you.” we / us我们all / both都…………you你happy高兴。
2704.2 “Call me tomorrow.” Which fits? tomorrow明天____I / me我to make a telephone call打电话。
- A. to / for / give给
- B. for为
- C. towards向
- D. to / towards / correct对
2704.3 Build: “I bought Mum a bunch of flowers.”
Arrange all chunks: I / me我 / to buy买(completed / change)了 / to / for / give给mama妈妈 / 一束花。
2704.4 for为the people人民to serve服务 sounds more formal than to / for / give给the people人民to serve服务.
True or false? Explain or repair the statement.
2704.5 Your mother works late every night to support the family. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
Write or say your own response before reading the key.
Answers and explanations
morning朝 vs towards向 vs towards往 (towards)
2701.1 towards向
Abstract “learn from” takes towards向.
2701.2 B. towards往he / him他to apologize道歉
towards往 shows direction of movement toward a place (往前走) and does not take a person. Apologising to someone uses towards向 or with / and跟: towards向he / him他to apologize道歉.
2701.3 this这架飞机飞往Shanghai municipality…上海。
Verb + towards往 + destination.
2701.4 True.
True. morning朝 means “facing towards”: 朝南(modifier / structural particle)的room房间 is a south-facing room.
2701.5 One possible response: everyone大家morning朝I / me我to see看，towards往左站erhua variant of 一点一点儿。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- towards往 does not take people: towards向he / him他to apologize道歉, not towards往he / him他to apologize道歉.
- Abstract verbs (to learn学习, to ask for guidance请教, to apologize道歉, to express / indicate表示) take towards向, not morning朝 or towards往.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
to / towards / correct对 vs regarding对于 (to/toward vs regarding)
2702.1 to / towards / correct对
Treatment of people takes to / towards / correct对.
2702.2 D. he / him他regarding对于I / me我degree / adjective linker很polite客气。
Treatment of people needs to / towards / correct对, not regarding对于.
2702.3 regarding对于this这个question问题，everyone大家idea意见not不one / a一。
regarding对于 + issue, then the comment.
2702.4 True.
True. regarding对于…来说 is more formal and suits essays; to / towards / correct对…来说 is the everyday form. Both mean “for, as far as … is concerned”.
2702.5 One possible response: he / him他to / towards / correct对everyone大家degree / adjective linker很polite客气。regarding对于this这个plan方案，I / me我to have / there is有different不同(modifier / structural particle)的way of looking at a thing看法。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- Wherever regarding对于 works, to / towards / correct对 usually works too: to / towards / correct对((of time or place) in于)this这个question问题….
- But treatment of people needs to / towards / correct对: to / towards / correct对I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好, to / towards / correct对he / him他variant of 说说, not regarding对于I / me我degree / adjective linker很good好 / regarding对于he / him他variant of 说说.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
pertaining to关于 vs regarding对于 vs as for至于
2703.1 as for至于
as for至于 switches to a new, related point.
2703.2 B. pertaining to关于
Content and titles take pertaining to关于.
2703.3 1–C: pertaining to关于 = about (topic or content); 2–A: regarding对于 = regarding (attitude or judgement); 3–B: as for至于 = as for (switching to another point)
Each introduces a topic differently.
2703.4 False.
It switches from a topic already mentioned.
2703.5 One possible response: pertaining to关于to set off出发(concept of) time时间，we / us我们next week下周to decide (to do something)决定。as for至于to live住where哪儿，everyone大家can / may可以先提to propose建议。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- as for至于 comes after something else has been said; it cannot open a conversation.
- pertaining to关于 cannot follow the subject: pertaining to关于这件matter事，I / me我…, not I / me我pertaining to关于这件matter事….
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.
to / for / give给 vs for为 (to/for vs for the sake of)
2704.1 for为
Feelings take for为.
2704.2 A. to / for / give给
The recipient of a call takes to / for / give给.
2704.3 I / me我to / for / give给mama妈妈to buy买(completed / change)了一束花。
to / for / give给 + person + verb + object.
2704.4 True.
for为 is the formal, dedicated “for”.
2704.5 One possible response: mama妈妈in order to为了we / us我们every day每天to work工作to / arrive到degree / adjective linker很evening晚，I / me我want / think / miss想to / for / give给she / her她to buy买一份gift礼物。
Check meaning and form:
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- to / for / give给 + person = they receive something: to / for / give给he / him他to write a letter写信. for为 + person = on their behalf or about them: for为he / him他anxious担心.
- Feelings take for为, not to / for / give给: I / me我for为you你happy高兴, not I / me我to / for / give给you你happy高兴.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.